2023/24: Month 5 (March): Week 31 - Deadline: Fri 29-Mar-2024 12:25

Season Preview (2011-2012)

Keech the Bookie has completed his season preview below now all teams are in. It is based on past history (last 6 years performance in brackets with the latest first) and only looks at your original team selected this time around if you are newcomer. If your transfers and picks are imaginative and inspirational, clearly Keech the bookie cannot predict that. Hope you take it as it is, a little bit of fun and the challenge is for you to either prove me right or completely wrong !!!

Only get concerned if I predict you to win !  

Latest season first:

1st Tim Owen (2/1F). (2nd, 4th, 22nd, 6th, 11th, 1st)

How well will he react to the final calamity of the end of last season? It would take a strong man to comeback from that. He was devastated and was ready to throw in the towel. His delayed entry shows the doubts are still there but our champ will come out fighting again thats for sure. Most other players would be happy with 2nd place but not our Timitar! At least he heads the most picks in pre season again so he has won something and he will be safely through to round 1 of the cup.

2nd Ian Cowburn (9/4). (3rd, 5th, 15th, 12th, 31st, 18th)

Last season was Ian's most successful campaign to date, positionally and financially. It would not surprise me at all if he made the next leap forward as he is clearing knocking on the door for his first title.

3rd Rob Bushell (5/2). (6th, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 12th, 7th)

I dont think there is a player in recent years who can boast such a terrific record as Rob. To achieve 5 out of 6 years in the top 7 including a win and runner up only a fool would rule him out of contention.  I certainly wont be doing that.

4th Graham Jeffries (11/4) (1st, 14th) 

Graham surprised me last time around having taken the title at his 2nd attempt. His tactics were absolutely spot on and he played the game like a seasoned campaigner. I can only see another fine attempt again. Saying that no-one has ever defended their title.

5th Keech/Frost 11/4 (no entry, 11th, 1st, 9th)

This format should suit the return of the winners from 3 seasons ago. The individual teams can sometimes get in the way (well for Mr Frost it does anyway!).

6th Wayne Moody (3/1). (7th, 7th, 32nd, 5th, no entry, no entry)

With just one poor season out of 4 I tend to suggest top 10 finish is definately a possibility.

7th Anthony Lee 3/1 (New)

Now I know Anthony has a decent footy knowledge but whether that can be transferred into a Fantasy League environment only time will tell. His initial team looks good. Top predicted newcomer.

8th Chris Lyons (10/3) (4th, 35th)

Two very different attempts. As usual season 2 has been seen to be much better than season 1. Can Chris follow it up though?

9th Royce Frankin (7/2). (8th, 10th, 33rd, 8th, 15th, no entry)

In the top 10 in 3 out of the last 4 years. He will be aiming to push on for top 5 now and could well achieve it.

10th Colin Rigby (7/2). (16th, 18th, 19th, 1st, 33rd, 11th)

Back to one team after three virtually identical mid-table performances after his excellent victory. Concentrating on the one will reap benefits.

11th Paul Keech (4/1). (19th, 9th, 11th, 22nd, 1st, 12th)

Its been too long since my last victory. Start of term report must try harder!

12th Craig Frost (4/1). (20th, 3rd, 4th, 37th, 30th, 17th)

20th place will not do for Frosty. After 2 excellent seasons last time around his luck well and truly ran out. He will want and definately expect much more.

13th Ben Watson (9/2). (15th)

Only a dip in the final couple of weeks stopped Ben taking a very impressive top 5 place on his debut. I think he struggles early doors with initial team selections but he soon picks up on the form players. His tactics are well thought out, he is very competitive and extremely keen. Top 5 and nothing else will do for Ben.  

14th Allison Moody (9/2). (5th, 15th, 16th, 2nd, 4th, No entry).

After hiding behind the guise of Ryan, Allison has come out to an excellent 5th place last term. Never a bad season in the 5 years of MLW and I expect her to right up there again in with a shout.

15th Graham Highton (5/1). (14th, 30th, 17th, 16th, 14th, 31st)

Having not bettered 14th in the last 6 seasons it is hard to judge anything much better than that can be achieved. Have a sneaky feeling he may do though but still not really challenge.

16th Andrew Highton (5/1) (17th)

A decent first effort although may have been disappointed he finished just behind the old man. I expect improvement but whether top 10 is in reach that is another matter completely.

17th Matthew Wakeman (11/2). (29th)

How disappointing was Matt's first foray into FL management. Take those Villa and Premiership blinkers off. There is life outside the top division you know.

18th Simon Waller (11/2) (32nd, no entry, 28th, no entry, 26th)

Incredibly disappointing since his victory in 2004/05. Having missed out 2 out of the last 4 and the other 3 in the bottom half he will be looking for something so much better. The added spice of the Royal Ascot bet last year did not even galvanise him.

19th Adrian Franklin (6/1) (New)

Very interesting, an all Championship line up, lets hope they all dont draw Prem teams in the cup as he will have no-one left post Christmas on cup weekends!

20th Paul Gerrard (13/2). (9th, 24th, 21st, 18th, 26th, 16th)

I think Paul was made up with last seasons high of 9th place. Before that consistent but consistently average, perhaps the new format will again suit him to even improve again.

21st Russ Farnham (13/2) (12th, 17th, 9th, 14th, 6th, 3rd)

Russ has not seen the winners trophy since 97/98 and it is starting to look like a very dim and distant memory. He also hasn't had sight of the top 5 for 6 seasons. Perhaps he is on wain at long last. Then again I may have written him off just too soon.

22nd Simon Baldwin (7/1). (10th, 27th, 26th, 17th, 13th, 2nd)

After two disappointing efforts the signs were extremely positive last term. It was the best effort for 5 seasons and he will look to achieve something like what he did first time around.

23rd Andrea Howard (7/1). (26th, 33rd, 8th)

If anyone can truly scupper a players season our Andrea can. Whoever she seems to pick at present either dries up completely, leaves the country and breaks his leg the next match. Surely this shocking run of luck cannot continue.

24th Andy Peaden (8/1) (New)

A good first attempt from our Sheff U fan. Not sure about Birmingham but you never know, everyone has them as the outcasts of the Championships but it could pay off.

25th Patrick Williams (9/1). (27th, 13th, 30th, 26th, 29th, 30th)

Still has a tendency of diving in too early with changes, the extra transfers can only help. If he can stop that dramatic 2nd half of season slump yet again top 10 would be a fair assessment.

26th Sean Bennett (10/1) (New)

Good strength in depth and alot of attacking potential. Slight unfortunate situation with Blackburn selling Kalinic abroad one day after the deadline but he has enough transfers to cope.

27th John Sparke (10/1) (New)

Know nothing about John but there does appear to be some competition with Anthony Lee so that should set the `Sparks' flying. Sorry........I will get my coat!

28th Jordan Watkiss (11/1) (New)

Banter flying around already with anyone called Owen (whether that be first or last name!). The Owen of Timitar variety seems to think he will do ok. Thats alright in my book.

29th Dan Owen (12/1) (23rd, 2nd, 7th, 3rd, 9th, 8th)

I really dont know what happened last time around. It was totally out of character. There were though some definate outside influences affecting his performance. He will be ready to challenge again though that is for sure.

30th John/Phil Kelly (12/1). (24th, 8th, 18th, 29th, 8th, no entry)

Left it late this time around, think it took some time for the two heads to come together to produce one winning team. Performances so far have been mixed so very difficult to know what you are going to get.

31st Shaun Moody (14/1) (40th, 22nd, no entry, 2nd)

Very extreme performances in the 3 attempts so far. Was season 1 a fluke? He will have to go some to prove otherwise.

32nd Owen Griffiths (14/1). (31st)

Owen started like a house on fire in his first campaign but as the performance falter so did the enthusiasm. He needs to realise this is a 38 week comp not 15 and it does go past Christmas.

33rd Matt Hall (16/1) (13th, 31st, 35th, 15th, 27th, 10th)

A much improved effort last term maybe with greater competition with Phil and Steve Chaney. With Steve's bizarre tactics the competition may be gone though. 3 early transfers a bit of a blow.

34th Paul Leech (16/1). (25th, 38th, 10th, 11th, 5th, 6th)

Paul halted the decline in some ways last season but still not to the liking of Mr Leech. He will be looking to a top 10 finish pretty much back to were he was 3 seasons ago.

35th Phil Hall (20/1). (38th, 21st, 3rd)

Spectacular decline from top 3 to mid table to bottom 5 can only suggest one thing, another long season of struggle

36th Lynne/Phil Stokoe (20/1) (39th, 12th, 14th, No entry, 22nd, no entry)

Lynne and Phil were extremely disappointed with last seasons effort and it did put doubts initially into their minds whether they could reproduce previous efforts. They are in though and I am sure will give it their best shot.

37th Ishtiaq Beg (25/1). (33rd, 20th, 23rd)

Worst effort of the 3 so far last time around, cant see much difference again this time around.

38th Jeff Miller (25/1). (22nd, 36th, 27th, 23rd, 17th, 21st)

Some improvement last season but will want more and he will with increased competition still struggle to make the top half.

39th Austin Kershaw (33/1) (Returner)

He's back, the most laid back player I know, nothing bothers him. Its a shame he puts Emmerdale over MLW that speaks for its self.

40th Margaret Highton (33/1) (New)

Is this Margaret or Graham branching out yet further. I don't know, it will take some juggling having 3 teams in one household but any competition is healthy competition.

41st Luke Barrett (50/1) (New)

Expensive backline which has limited his attacking options. With Torres misfiring last season he is a little over-reliant on him coming back to form.  

42nd Simon Barrett (50/1). (37th)

It took Simon a while to grasp what is required for success in MLW. Despite an early success in the pontoon his final finishing position was a little unexpected. One season in and things could be so different. as we well know a seasons experience can make all the difference.

43rd Simon Waller (66/1) (2)

Has two teams this time around. Since his victory a few years ago he has been in and out and perhaps he has taken on just too much.

44th Young Gerrards (66/1), (30th, 25th, 37th, 36th, 10th, 9th)

The lads are getting to the age now where other activities can take over. There has been a decline in the last 4 years and it will take a monumental effort to stop this happening again.

45th Sarah Burrows (100/1) (New)

We will definately have some fun with Sezy this season. Even by her own admission she knows FA. Her selections have some very interesting thought processes behind them including detailed examination of player morales. Good on her, give it you best shot Sezy and I still think you will beat a few home.

46th Alan Keech (100/1). (35th, 34th, 29th, 35th, 28th, 23rd)

Hard to believe he struck gold with the Championship all the way back in 2000/01. Things have changed so much since then and he does struggle to compete these days.  

47th Richard Smith (150/1). (34th, 37th, 34th)

With 3 attempts no better than 34th our techie guru still insists on giving it another try. I actually think he would take a place in the top 30 now and few cup wins to actually be considered a successful season.

48th Dave Leech (200/1) (Returner)

Dave will be the first to admit his record leaves alot to be desired. Paul has twisted his arm to have another game. He must play the weekly game more to be competitive.

49th Islam Ahmed (250/1) (New)

Keen but could be a little lost early doors. If Larry (his assistant) keeps in with him you never know but I suspect it could be a tricky debut season.

50th Steve Chaney (1000/1) (21st, 19th, 13th)

Slowly deteriated and if, at the time of writing he has done what he says he is going to do then he is in real trouble. 12 Southampton players and their defence is very bizarre to say the least.

Paul